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Crocodile Named After Osama Bin Laden Killed 80 People In Uganda

Crocodile Named After Osama Bin Laden Killed 80 People In Uganda

The crocodile, named Osama, killed 80 people near to Lake Victoria over decades

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

A crocodile that was named after Osama Bin Laden has eaten around 80 people from a village in Africa over the years, including both adults and children.

The bloodthirsty reptile, which is believe by some to be over 75 years old, has been terrorising those who live by the shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda for years.

According to The Daily Star, the huge 16-foot animal killed a tenth of the population of the village of Luganga between the years of 1991 and 2005, hunting in an opportunistic manner to snatch children who were collecting water at the shores of the lake, or swimming underneath boats in order to capsize them.

At one stage, the croc reportedly took to leaping out of the water into boats to carry off people to eat.

A crocodile captured in Uganda in 2014.
Getty

One such fisherman was only discovered dead because his clothes were found floating on the water.

Another man saw his brother killed by Osama, while he himself escaped.

Paul Kyewalyanga was rowing in the back of a boat when Osama jumped out of the water and snatched his brother Peter, who was fishing at the front.

He told The Sydney Morning Herald: "Osama just emerged from the water vertically and flopped into the boat.

"The back of the boat where I was sitting was submerged."

Paul tried to get help for his stricken brother, but the croc had latched onto Peter's leg and started pulling at him, attempting to get him into the lake.

He continued: "Peter was clutching the side screaming. They fought for about five minutes until I heard a tearing sound.

"Peter shouted, 'He's broken my leg.' Then he let go and was dragged into the lake. A few days later we found his head and his arm."

Then, in 2005, villagers requested some help to deal with the crocodile, and it was eventually captured through the efforts of 50 men from the local area and wildlife officials.

This crocodile was captured by villagers in Uganda.
Getty

While many wanted the beast dead, the authorities said that they wouldn't kill Osama 'with impunity'.

He was eventually given to the owners of Ugandan Crocs for their breeding programme.

The crocodile farm breeds loads of giant crocodiles for sale into the handbag trade in countries such as Italy and South Korea.

People can visit the farm as a tourist attraction to see the many crocodiles that will eventually end up on the shelves of fashion shops around the globe.

At least Osama wasn't able to kill any more people after that.

Featured Image Credit: Dewet (Creative Commons)

Topics: Africa, crocodile, Weird, Animals